Company Team

Howard, a California attorney, has dedicated several years to bringing Crila® to the international market. He lives in the San Francisco Bay Area with his wife, also a lawyer working on Crila®. Howard was educated at the University of California at Davis and University of California, Hastings College of the Law. He began his legal career at the Alameda County District Attorney's Office and was later a director at Crosby, Heafey, Roach & May, focusing on complex civil trials throughout the U.S. He taught trial advocacy programs as an adjunct professor at Hastings College of the Law for ten years and remains an active member of the prestigious College of American Trial Lawyers, American Board of Trial Lawyers, and the Association of Business Trial Lawyers.

After meeting Dr. Tram through Sue McKinney, he reviewed the product research and learned of the success of Crila® in Vietnam. He decided to take on a greater role within the company both as an investor, Director, and business team member. Howard is interested in the health-changing effects that Crila® can provide for men who have prostate health goals and women who wish to support hormonal balance during menopause and promote overall uterine health. Howard is a proponent of comprehensive approaches to health and the combination of both eastern and western practices.*

Sue is a California attorney and business consultant who settled in Vietnam in 1994. She has been instrumental in creating hundreds of jobs and exporting thousands of Vietnamese products. She graduated from Mills College and received her law degree from the University of Santa Clara. Sue was a Deputy District Attorney in Alameda County before entering private practice. From 1992 to 1993, she served as California's Chief Assistant Secretary of State, engaged with Asian trade delegations until her move to Asia in 1994.

Sue has had the pleasure of witnessing and taking part in Vietnam's extensive economic and social growth for over two decades. She is the Rotary liaison on many Rotary Clubs' projects including: 1,000 wheelchairs, three libraries, orphanage programs, Operation Smile surgical care units, a home for unwed mothers, 25 scholarships, and construction of a pediatric ICU at one of Vietnam’s largest hospitals.

In 2007, Sue met Dr. Tram and formed a strong bond with her. Through Sue's ability to bring people and projects together, and based on the positive performance of Crila® in Vietnam, the two women combined their passion and experience to bring Crila® to the international market. Sue works closely with Dr. Tram and the Ministry of Science & Technology, the Ministry of Health, and the expanding Crila Health team to provide this impressive herbal supplement for men and women worldwide.

Ralph was educated at San Jose State University and has been a commercial lines Property-Casualty Insurance Broker for almost fifty years. After meeting Sue McKinney and Dr. Tram, Ralph tried Crila® for a year or so. He was so impressed with the results from this supplement that he and his wife Shelley invested in the company.*

Although they were initially interested primarily in Crila® for Prostate, later Shelley began taking Crila® for Menopause. Crila® is a major part of their lives now. Both Ralph and Shelley have incorporated Crila® into their regular daily supplement usage, and Ralph was recently appointed to our Board of Directors.*

Ralph brings to the table a “common sense” attitude toward business, and he is a stickler for solid customer service. He always says, “If you don't have fantastic customer service, you won’t have any customers.”

Dr. Calabrese has recently returned to the rewards of clinical practice after several years as the Executive Director of the Naturopathic Physicians Research Institute.

He was a Senior Research Scientist at Bastyr University, Visiting Research Professor at National College of Natural Medicine (NCNM), and Affiliate Associate Professor at Oregon Health & Science University School of Medicine.

Dr. Calabrese has performed and published mixed-methods clinical trials and observational studies in nutrients, botanicals, and complex complementary and alternative medicine (CAM) practices. He was a Founder and Co-director at the Bastyr University Research Institute and authored the first successful application for an NIH grant to a naturopathic institution. While a Senior Investigator at NCNM’s Helfgott Research Institute, he served on NIH’s National Advisory Council for CAM and the National Center for CAM Data and Safety Monitoring Board. He contributed to the establishment of research ethics boards at both NCNM and Bastyr.

Dr. Calabrese’s current studies are focused on healthy aging. He is currently the Lead Investigator, teamed with colleague Dr. Tori Hudson, on a double-blind, placebo-controlled pilot clinical trial to study the effects of Crila®on women during menopause. The study is conducted in conjunction with Dr. Hudson’s clinic, A Woman’s Time, in Portland, OR. Results are expected in 2014.*

Dr. Fuchs is a professor at the Innsbruck Medical University in the Division of Biological Chemistry. His research appears in over seven hundred peer-reviewed publications and research studies. He is the recipient of many national and international awards. Dr. Fuchs is the Executive Editor of Pteridines, and he serves as an Editorial Board Member of The Open Aging Journal, Journal of Breath Research, and the International Journal of Tryptophan Research. His research interests include immunology, immunobiology, neuroimmunology, the biochemistry and chemistry of pteridines and tryptophan, indoleamine (2,3)-dioxygenase, homocysteine, and oxidative stress.

Dr. Fuchs participated in Dr. Tram’s 2009 pre-clinical research studying Crila®’s effects. He appeared with Dr. Tram and Dr. Elissaveta Zvetkova (Bulgarian Academy of Sciences) to present the study’s findings before the peer review board of the Ministry of Health in Hanoi. From their positive findings, Dr. Fuchs’ team recommended the pursuit of additional clinical research on Crila®. Dr. Fuchs led the investigation on the effect of Crila® on the immune activation cascades in peripheral blood mononuclear cells and cellular health in the prostate gland. The positive outcome recommended further clinical study. Dr. Fuchs lives in Austria with his wife and two children.*

Dr. Jackson is a board certified plastic and reconstructive surgeon who has practiced in Napa, California since 1994. She completed her general and plastic surgery training at Stanford University Medical Center and then carried out multiple fellowships in plastic and reconstructive surgery at Canniesburn Hospital in the U.K.; at Showa University in Tokyo, Japan; and at the Second People’s Hospital in China.

Dr. Jackson volunteers with Interplast, Rotaplast, and the Reconstructive Surgery Foundation. She volunteers her time twice a year for organized missions to developing countries. Since 1995, she has also visited Ulaanbaatar, Mongolia once a year, teaching plastic surgery and training residents in techniques of plastic surgery.

Dr. Jackson was introduced to Crila® and the work of Dr. Tram while on a volunteer Rotary surgical mission to Vietnam. Her early support and encouragement were instrumental in the introduction of Crila® to the U.S.

Dr. Scott is a board certified OBGYN, specializing in female reproductive health issues as well as gynecological health issues. He is a Fellow of the American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists (FACOG) and a principal in the Peachtree Women’s Clinics, a division of the Atlanta Women’s Health Group. He served as Chairman of the Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology at Northside Hospital in Atlanta. The hospital prides itself as an ambassador of women’s health issues, delivering more than 18,000 babies a year—more than any other hospital in the U.S. Dr. Scott also served as the Medical Director of the Atlanta Women's Research Institute for four years, presiding over 44 OBGYN specialists engaged in a range of women's health clinical research studies.

Dr. Scott regularly volunteers on international medical missions from the Amazon to the Himalayas. He has visited Vietnam twice and met Sue McKinney there in 2008. They began a dialogue about Crila® and uterine health. Dr. Scott returned to Vietnam in early 2012, setting aside time to visit the Crila® plantation. He invited Sue to address doctors at Northside Hospital, where they met with the Director of Research at the Atlanta Women’s Research Institute. Dr. Scott, the Atlanta Women's Research Institute, and Crila Health plan to collaborate on future clinical research on uterine health once funding is identified.*

Dominic is a Senior Advisor to J.P. Morgan across Asian Frontier markets. Dominic joined J.P. Morgan in London in 1988. During his time with J.P. Morgan, he worked in London, Singapore, Mumbai, and Ho Chi Minh City in a variety of investment banking roles, including CEO for India and CEO for Indochina. Dominic became the first head of J.P. Morgan’s wholly-owned India business in 1998, overseeing growth from less than fifty personnel to over 12,000 during his ten years in India. During that time, he helped establish J.P. Morgan’s first global service center. Dominic was also responsible for high-level relationships in the country, which led to landmark deals for groups such as Tata—including the IPO of Tata Consultancy Services TCS and Tata’s acquisition of Land Rover Jaguar.

Prior to joining J.P. Morgan, Dominic worked in fixed income trading at Credit Suisse First Boston in London and Tokyo. He was also responsible for Asian debt origination and local currency trading in Singapore for Paribas Capital Markets from 1994 to 1997 before rejoining J.P. Morgan. Dominic began his banking career with Standard Chartered in London working in computer data and strategic research and development.

Dominic was born in Saigon, raised in Vietnam, Sri Lanka, and India, and completed his schooling in England. He has worked in Asia since 1994 and lives in Singapore with his wife and three children. Dominic travels regularly to Vietnam and chairs Crila Health's Management Advisory Committee. He became an investor and advisor to Crila Health after prostate health became a personal challenge in his early 50s. After five months taking Crila®, he became convinced that Crila® is highly effective for maintaining prostate health.*

Christoph is an advisor to Crila Health’s Management Advisory Committee providing expertise in business process development, sales and marketing strategy, forecasting, and executive leadership. Christoph was the CEO of Mars, Switzerland from 2008 to 2011, leading the $300 million sector of the company’s FMCG markets. His successful strategic vision improved margin and profitability to a record high during a severe market recession.

From 2002 to 2007, Christoph held various senior executive sales and marketing positions with a major British company in established and emerging markets in Romania, Scandinavia, and Switzerland. He had full marketing and sales accountability for a business with turnover in excess of $1 billion. His strategy included the implementation of a vigorous affiliate marketing campaign.

In 2011, Christoph moved to Vietnam with his wife and two children to embark on a philanthropic sabbatical sharing his expertise with Vietnamese NGOs and promising startup ventures. He met the Crila Health team during that time and became very interested in the company’s products. In 2013, he returned to his previous corporate position, but continued in an advisory role with Crila Health. Christoph is committed to the principles of lean corporate and business process management, focused on reduced working capital and high cash delivery.

Jane lived in Saigon, Vietnam before semi-retiring to Cyprus. She assists Crila Health with technical editing. She trained as a microbiologist originally, then joined the Science Museum in London, first as a curator and then involved with exhibitions explaining science to the general public.

After 25 years in museums, she changed careers and headed overseas as an English Language professional. She is now the Program Manager of the extensive English language program at the Royal Melbourne Institute of Technology (RMIT) International University Vietnam, which is the Vietnamese campus of RMIT Melbourne, Australia.

Jane oversees the program of over 2,500 students studying English in order to achieve the requisite proficiency to earn degrees and diplomas taught in English.
When Jane first heard about Crila®, she was skeptical. But after reading about Dr. Tram’s research, meeting Dr. Tram, and seeing the plantation herself, she was impressed by the Company’s scientific approach—so much so that she invested in the company.

Christina recently retired from a Fortune 50 company after twenty years as Managing Counsel with extensive experience in international business transactions, compliance regulation, and transnational trade policies. She served as General Manager of Public Policy, which included responsibility over the Corporate Responsibility and Community Engagement departments.

Christina taught as an adjunct professor at University of California, Hastings School of Law and remains committed to public education, volunteering as Co-Chair of the University of California, Berkeley's Cal Parents Board. Christina graduated from University of California, Davis and received her law degree from University of Pacific, McGeorge School of Law.

Christina became interested in Crila® after meeting Dr. Tram and seeing first-hand the extensive quality control at the factory and plantation. Christina decided to offer her international business experience and serve on the team responsible for making Crila® available to the international market. She believes that the use of herbal traditions, such as Crila®, in conjunction with Western modalities, can provide the most effective approach for people who have health goals related to menopause, uterine health, or prostate health.*

Deborah is the President of TormeLauricella, a San Francisco based marketing and public relations firm. Deborah has a knack for discovering what bonds people to ideas and brands. With a deep understanding of the rapidly changing media environment, the challenges of consumer marketing, and the increasing role of integrated communications in today’s complex business climate, Deborah delivers pragmatic plans that enrich creative ideas, encourage innovation, and use budgets wisely. She has a broad range of packaged goods and food marketing management experience including highly successful programs for California Walnuts, C&H Sugar, Delta Dental, Nancy's Specialty Foods, and Glen Ellen Winery.

As senior public affairs manager of American President Companies and V.P. of the APC Foundation, Deborah served on the California Business Roundtable, the Bay Area Council, and the Oakland Chamber of Commerce Board of Directors. She believes community service is an important part of business and is active in many non-profit organizations, including The Rotary Club of San Francisco, and serves as Marketing/PR Chair for Rotary District 5150. A published poet, Deborah received a creative writing degree from San Francisco State and has completed programs in advertising and marketing at the University of California, Berkeley and the Direct Marketing Institute.

When Deborah met Dr. Tram and visited the Crila® plantation in 2011, she noticed hundreds of dragonflies floating over the fields. Dragonflies are extremely susceptible to any form of pesticide or contaminants, and their presence served as a natural testament to Dr. Tram’s organic farming practices.

Duc earned his Bachelor of Economics, majoring in Foreign Trade from Hong Bang University in Ho Chi Minh City, following two years of education in the United States. After meeting Sue as a volunteer for Rotary projects, Duc began working with her over ten years ago, focusing on export trade, retail operations, and business development for international clients. When a U.S. client inquired about L, Duc mentioned Dr. Tram, the inventor of Crila®, as the expert on Vietnamese L. Duc was instrumental in the formation of mutual trust and understanding, and he helped to set the stage for a long-term, strong business bond with Dr. Tram and her family.

Duc works closely with Dr. Tram and her managers at the plantations and the factory. He is a key member of the Crila Health team, representing our company and Dr. Tram at international trade exhibitions and conferences. Duc often travels with Dr. Tram, serving as her official interpreter for international journalists, the World Bank, and conferences with doctors from Europe and America.

In 2001, Emma started her online career as a marketing assistant. She advanced, over a ten-year period, to become Head of Media at Progressive Digital Media, London's leading online media agency. With over a decade in Internet and Affiliate marketing, she has gained extensive experience in website management, gaining insights into the many diverse aspects of the ever-expanding online marketing arena.

Emma’s department project-managed the concept, design, development, traffic-sourcing, and monetization of many e-commerce websites. In 2009, as a side project, she became the founder and director of an affiliate marketing website dedicated to providing consumers with shopping discounts. In 2011, this endeavor gave her the financial freedom to take some time out from London’s rat race.

Initially, she only planned a short stay in Saigon. But after meeting Dr. Tram and Sue, visiting the Crila®plantation, and using Crila® herself, Emma quickly realized this was a project she very much wanted to be involved with. She relocated to Saigon full time to focus on Crila Health’s online marketing strategies.

After trying Crila® herself, and traveling to Vietnam to see the operations firsthand, Tina brought 25 years of industry experience and a wealth of knowledge to our team. Her interest in herbal products began at age five when her mother had health goals that allopathic physicians found daunting. A Naturopath targeted key herbal remedies, which were highly successful. This defined the course of Tina’s life, leading to a distinguished career in top quality herbal, homeopathic, and organic natural supplements with leading international brands. Tina specializes in working with top quality brands and formulators to bring to market promising innovative products that change lives, offering holistic wellness solutions to millions.

Kris brings us almost thirty years of executive experience in Quality Assurance, Control, and Compliance. His professional career includes a diverse background in pharmaceutical and dietary supplement new product development for top industry brands. He reviews both Dr. Tram’s and Crila Health’s FDA GMP regulatory compliance requirements. In addition, Kris contributes his knowledge and expertise in process improvement, supply chain management, supplier evaluation, and auditing. He builds and monitors the intricate Standard Operating Procedures (SOPs) and master file documentation for Crila Health’s legally required oversight of Dr. Tram’s plantation and factory operations in Vietnam to insure FDA GMP, FTC, 21 C.F.R 111, and DSHEA compliance in today’s challenging and complicated regulatory environment.

Dr. Zvetkova is a medical doctor, professor, cell biologist, and senior scientific researcher with a long and distinguished career. She began her medical practice at the Municipal Hospital of Svishtov, Bulgaria in 1965.

As a professor, she taught histology at the Medical Academy of Sofia; taught histology and embryology at the College of Biology at the Sofia University; and then became the Department Head for Cell Differentiation at the Institute of Experimental Morphology and Anthropology. She continues as a senior scientist at the Institute of Morphology at the Bulgarian Academy of Sciences. She is a member of the Balkan Medical Union, the International Society of Pteridinology in Austria, the Bulgarian Society of Anatomists, and the Bulgarian Union of Scientists.

Dr. Zvetkova’s research and writing in the fields of cytology, histology, cell biology, cyto- and histochemistry, fluorescent cytochemistry and flow cytometry, and immunofluorescent analysis have appeared in more than two hundred professional journals. She has been a research colleague of Dr. Tram since their days together at the Bulgarian Academy of Sciences in the 1980s. She is an important member of Crila®’s international scientific team, conducting the latest research on Crila® efficacy. Dr. Zvetkova lives in Sophia where she enjoys literature, music, and painting.

*These statements have not been evaluated by the Food and Drug Administration. These products are not intended to diagnose, treat, cure or prevent any disease. The information on this website is not intended to replace a one-on- one relationship with a qualified heath care professional and it not intended as medical advice. If you are pregnant, nursing, taking medication, or have a medical condition, consult your health care professional before using new products.